SSPCAA man who kept six wolfdogs, brought to the UK from a Russian zoo using fake passports, in “appalling” conditions, has been banned from owning animals.
Graham Alexander McQuet was found to have caused unnecessary suffering to his six wolfdogs and a cat by failing to provide them with enough water, space, or a suitable environment.
During a search of McQuet’s home in Grangemouth, the body of a wolfdog was discovered in a freezer with a missing leg, while another was found with a painful, untreated neck wound from the inappropriate use of a shock collar.
The Scottish SPCA visited the property with a wildlife crime officer from Police Scotland, where all of the wolfdogs were found to be wearing both shock collars and tracking collars.
Scottish SPCA Inspector Fiona Thorburn said: “Concern was expressed that they appeared to be controlled rather than trained.
SSPCA“Provisions for the wolfdogs were found to be inadequate, so a statutory care notice was issued to improve conditions to meet the minimum requirements under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.”
Thorburn added: “The wolfdogs did not look or behave like domesticated animals. Therefore, concerns regarding the legality of these wolfdogs were also passed to local authorities and the Animal and Plant Health Agency to investigate.”
After McQuet repeatedly denied SSPCA officers entry, a warrant was issued for the property.
The body of a dead wolfdog, Artas, was found within a freezer in the hallway and was missing a leg.
Evidence was given at trial that the loss of a leg had occurred post-mortem, with testimony showing the carcass had been predated by another dog.
One remaining wolfdog named Bronn had a painful, inflamed wound caused by inappropriate use of his shock collar.
Prior to the warrant being executed, McQuet rehomed five of the wolfdogs to The Little Zoo in Wiltshire, also home to Wolves of Wiltshire.
The Little Zoo is a sanctuary providing homes for exotic pets that are unwanted or require specialist care. The charity director, Gary Emery, was horrified at the condition the wolfdogs arrived in, describing them to be “unsocialised, terrified, injured and in poor body condition”.
SSPCAVideo evidence seized from the property showed McQuet explaining that the wolfdogs had been brought from a Russian Zoo using fake passports.
Except for Bronn, he claimed that the wolfdogs were a mixture of first and second-generation wolfdogs and full Arctic Wolves, meaning they should have been subject to licensing under The Dangerous Wild Animals Act, something The Little Zoo could provide.
Thorburn said: “The warrant was executed with assistance from Police Scotland, and the property was found to be in extremely poor condition. McQuet was arrested following the discovery of a cannabis cultivation within the house.”
Both Bronn and McQuet’s pet cat were removed and brought into the care of the Scottish SPCA before being rehomed.
Inspector Thorburn added: “The wolfdogs have recovered physically from their neglect but behavioural damage from such poor conditions along with the inappropriate use of shock collars in their training will unfortunately remain.
“Housing these animals in small domestic kennels, from which they at times escaped, causing fear and alarm to nearby residents, was cruel and negligent.
SSPCA“We are extremely grateful for the intervention and ongoing care provided at The Little Zoo at significant expense to the charity. Without their agreement to take the wolfdogs and their ability to provide the expert care needed, I fear that the animals’ future would have been at risk.
“We would also like to thank all witnesses who came forward and gave their time during this process.”
McQuet appeared before Falkirk Sheriff Court on Friday and was sentenced for failing to provide adequate care for his six wolfdogs and pet cat and for causing unnecessary suffering.
He was handed a five-year ban on owning and keeping animals, as well as a £2,000 fine.
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